Fisherfolk in Capiz are reaping benefits from the Bangon Capiznon joint initiative’s technical assistance they received early this year, mainly better fish growth and more earnings, which have also been a vital help in weathering the challenges of COVID-19.
A partnership between Pilmico, the Roxas City government, and Sagana Agricultural Supply, the Bangon Capiznon project turned over 1.3 million bangus fry to Roxas City fishermen to help rebuild depleted fish stocks in the wake of Typhoon Ursula (December 2019). In addition, the fishermen and fish cage owners were provided with technical training on fish feeds ratios, proper use and scheduling of feeds variants, and fish cage specifications that promote a better fish-growing environment.
Additional Earnings, Faster And Better Growth
Since February, the Capiz fishermen have been earning an additional PHP10 to PHP15 per kilo—thanks to increased fish growth and performance—and avoiding additional losses from inefficient feeding practices. Compared to other brands, Pilmico’s aqua feeds result in faster and better growth, with an average of 15 to 20 days earlier harvesting time. The Bangon Capiznon beneficiaries have harvested 15 tons of fish or approximately 13,607 kilograms.
I’d say it was the right timing to receive assistance from their team. The business partnership with Pilmico helped small-time fishermen and fish cage owners (Nasa tamang timing talaga kasi yung business partnership na yan kay Pilmico, natulungan yung mga small-time na fisherman dito at ang mga fish cage owners din).
–Moreno Gonzaga, a fisherman and beneficiary of Bangon Capiznon
Pilmico’s flexible feed payment terms is helping to speed up business recovery while the Pilmico Aqua Feeds team is helping to close technical knowledge gaps in proper fish cage management and aqua feeds ratios. Their consistent technical support through regular, almost daily visits with the fisherfolk help in proper fish growth monitoring.
Operations Running Normal Despite COVID-19
Back in May, Pilmico and Gold Coin Food Group President and Chief Executive Officer Hubert de Roquefeuil said that Pilmico continues to deliver stakeholders’ needs amid rising concerns about the pandemic’s economic limitations.
“We are currently focused on ensuring that our current production facilities across the [Southeast Asian] region are optimized and that utilization is maintained at a high level so that we can adequately cater to the needs of our customers,” Roquefeuil said.
Reliability Of Supplies And Services
Gonzaga also shared that one major difference is Pilmico’s reliability, which helped them with feed efficiency.
“Before we started using Pilmico feeds, other brands always ran out of stock. When that happens, we had to switch to a different feed brand mid-season. When we change fish feeds, what happens is their growth is affected. This is because they are not used to the new brand introduced (Dati [nung hindi pa Pilmico], palaging nauubusan ng supply yung ibang feeds brand. Kaya ang nangyayari, kalagitnaan ng season ng isda, nagpapalit kami ng brand ng feeds. Kapag ganun na nag-iiba ng pakain, hindi sanay ang isda, ang nangyayari ay naapektuhan ang paglaki nila),” said Gonzaga who regards Pilmico as a reliable brand because of its uninterrupted supply of feeds and services.
Richard Rafio, Pilmico Feeds Category Manager for Aqua, confirmed that amid the pandemic restrictions, their team has been consistent in delivering services to Bangon Capiznon beneficiaries.“In the last few months since we launched this initiative, our team has been working with the Roxas City government and we also got endorsements from the BFAR [Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources],” shared Rafio.
“We acknowledge the hard work that our team members on site have been putting in, and this was complemented by essential support from the government,” he said.
Watching Out For Typhoon Rolly
After Typhoon Quinta and Super Typhoon Rolly, Visayas-based Pilmico Aquafeeds team members are on standby to provide any assistance to the Bangon Capiznon fishermen.
In case the typhoon ravages the fish cages, the team will help the fish farmers by providing the same technical specifications and lead them to reliable suppliers for rebuilding of their fish cages, similar to the aid they extended to Capiz after Typhoon Ursula in 2019.
